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Ivory Transport & U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services
By Andrew Thomson

Exportation and Interstate Transport of a Piano with Ivory Keys

I'm looking for some help with the exportation of an Apollo
reproducing piano to Canada from the United States.  Recently, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Services has brought in new directives when it comes
to the movement of African ivory:

"Effective immediately: (February 26, 2014)

(1) African elephant ivory, including antiques may no longer be
imported into the United States for any commercial purpose. The only
African elephant ivory that may now be brought into the country with
proper documentation is ivory that:

- worked ivory contained in personal items as part of a household move
or inheritance that meets specific criteria (bullet 4); or

- worked ivory that is part of a musical instrument that meets specific
criteria" (bullet 5)

Further:

"(2) Anyone using the antique exception under the ESA to import, export
or sell across state boundaries (interstate sale) any item made from or
containing part of an endangered or threatened species will need to
show documentation that:

- the item is at least 100 years old;

- was legally imported at a designated Customs "antique port"; and

- has not been subject to certain types of repairs or modifications.

- Additionally, the particular species has to be identified on the
documentation.

Rigorous Service enforcement of these 'antique' criteria will affect
the importation and interstate sale of Asian elephant ivory as
antiques, the export of both African and Asian elephant ivory under the
ESA's antiques exemption, as well as the international trade and
interstate sale of items made from any foreign species listed as
endangered or threatened.  Interstate sale of African elephant ivory
will remain legal at this time, but the Service is pursuing the
regulatory changes needed to address such commerce."

Ref. http://www.fws.gov/le/publicbulletin/02-26-2014-Directors-Order.pdf 

I have been told that specific criteria would mean that I have to prove
that the ivory used in this piano is of African origin.  (If it is of
Asian origin, I'm totally out of luck).  Proof would either be DNA
analysis of the ivory or historical documentation indicating where the
manufacturer of the piano obtained its ivory.

Beside the host of questions and concerns that this new directive may
raise, can anyone help me:  a) find the necessary documentation to
enable me to prove that this 1921 Apollo piano's keys were made of
African ivory, or b) direct me to a lab that will provide the necessary
DNA testing.

The original bill of sale comes with the piano.  The 6' piano with Art
Echo reproducing system was sold on November 15, 1921 by the Apollo
Piano Company (Wurlitzer).  Style: GR, Number: #27050

With my thanks,

Andrew Thomson,
Winnipeg, Canada

 [ MMDigest articles about ivory and ivory transport are indexed at
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/I/ivory.html  -- Robbie


(Message sent Sat 12 Apr 2014, 13:17:27 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Fish, Ivory, Services, Transport, U.S, Wildlife

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